Basil Seeds

How To Grow

Sowing/Planting Seeds Indoors

Basil’s main requirement is plenty of sunshine, so best to plant them indoors in Ireland
Sow using bean tin with holes punched in the base for drainage (or empty toilet/halved kitchen paper roll, a small yoghurt/plastic container or similar with holes punched in the bottom for drainage).
Place soil (e.g. compost) in container, scatter a few seeds in each container and cover with less than 1 cm of soil and gently press down on top of the soil.
Water gently (e.g. to water can use a plastic bottle with small holes punched in the bottle top)
Seeds should germinate within approx. 2 weeks.
Best to water in the early morning and ensure that the soil doesn’t dry out.
After 4 - 5 true leaves have emerged approx. 5 weeks after sowing (note the first leaves to appear once a seed germinates (typically 1/2 leaves) are called cotyledons, and provide nutrients to the seed until the plants first true leaves grow) transplant the seedlings into a larger growing pot with fresh soil ( e.g. compost), allowing each seedling 10cm
With the back of a pen (or similar) make a small 1 - 2cm diameter hole in the soil and place the seedling in. Gently press the soil in around the seedling.
Water gently.
Ensure soil doesn’t dry out.
Locate pot in a sunny, warm place (e.g. windowsill that gets sunshine)
To encourage growth and deter pests, feed every 4 – 6 weeks with organic fertiliser (e.g. dried milled seaweed fertiliser, sachets available on sow.ie)

Growing Time:

Harvest

Pick or cut off leaves from the top of the plant (leaving stem) to enjoy once plant is hardy and has quite a few leaves
Don’t over-harvest – leave time between harvests to allow plant to recover and continue growing

Tip: If flowers appear, cut them off straight away to allow the plant to focus on growing leaves